forty-seventh annual commencement · the american association of museum directors. dr. cole has...
TRANSCRIPT
Forty-Seventh Annual
Commencement
ST. THOMASSaturday, the Fourteenth of MayTwo Thousand and ElevenSeven O’Clock in the EveningSports and Fitness CenterSt. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands
ST. CROIXSunday, the Fifteenth of MayTwo Thousand and ElevenHalf after Four O’Clock in the AfternoonCampus GroundsSt. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Johnnetta B. Cole, Ph.D., was appointed the Director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art (NMAfA) in March, 2009. Founded as a small museum on Capitol Hill in 1964, NMAfA be-came a part of the Smithsonian Institution in 1979, and in 1987 it moved to its current location on the National Mall. The museum’s collection of over 9,000 objects represents nearly every area of the con-tinent of Africa and contains a variety of media and art forms. NMAfA also has an extensive education program. Since the mid-1980s, Dr. Cole has worked with a number of Smithsonian programs. She currently serves on the Scholarly Advisory Board for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture, which will be completed on the National Mall by 2015.
Before assuming her current position, Dr. Cole had a long and distinguished career as an educator and humanitarian. Her work as a college professor and president, her published works, her speeches and her community service consistently address issues of racial, gender and all other forms of inequality.
Dr. Cole is president emerita of Bennett College for Women and Spelman College. She is the only individual to have served as the president of these two Historically Black Colleges for women in the United States. She is also professor emerita of Emory University from which she retired as Presidential Distinguished Professor of Anthropology, Women’s Studies and African American Studies.
After beginning her college studies at Fisk University and completing her undergraduate studies at Oberlin College, Dr. Cole earned a master’s degree and a Ph.D. in anthropology from North-western University. Dr. Cole made history in 1987 when she became the first African American woman to serve as president of Spelman College. At her inauguration, Drs. Bill and Camille Cosby donated $20 million to the college; and during her presidency, Spelman was named the number one liberal arts col-lege of the South. During her presidency at Bennett College for Women, an art gallery was opened and programs were initiated in women’s studies and global studies.
Dr. Cole has conducted research in Africa, the Caribbean and the United States, and she has authored and edited several books and scores of scholarly articles. She is a fellow of the American Anthropological Association and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She is also a member of the American Association of Museum Directors.
Dr. Cole has been awarded 55 honorary degrees and she is the recipient of numerous awards, in-cluding the TransAfrica Forum Global Public Service Award, the Radcliffe Medal, the Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill Medal, the 2001 Alexis de Tocqueville Award for Community Service from United Way of America, the Joseph Prize for Human Rights presented by the Anti-Defamation League, the Uncom-mon Height Award from the National Council of Negro Women, the John W. Gardner Leadership Award from the Independent Sector, and the Lenore and George W. Romney Citizen Volunteer Award from the Points of Light Foundation.
From 2004 to 2006, Dr. Cole was the chair of the board of United Way of America, the first African American to serve in that position. She has served on the corporate boards of Home Depot, Merck and Nation’s Bank South. She was the first woman to serve on the board of Coca-Cola Enterprises. Dr. Cole currently chairs the board of the National Visionary Leadership Project, and she is a member of the board of TransAfrica Forum and the Johnnetta B. Cole Global Diversity and Inclusion Institute, and she is on the Advisory Committee of America’s Promise. She is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, The Links, Inc. and the National Council of Negro Women.
Dr. Cole is married to James D. Staton, Jr. She is the mother of three sons, has three grandchil-dren, and is a mentor to many young women and men.
Director of the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art
Johnnetta B. Cole, Ph.D.
Johnnetta B. Cole, Ph.D.
UVI HISTORY The University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) was chartered on March 16, 1962, as the College of the Virgin Islands (CVI) – a publicly funded, coeduca-tional, liberal arts institution – by Act No. 862 of the Fourth Legislature of the U.S. Virgin Islands. According to that law, UVI’s cornerstone objective is to provide for “....the stimulation and utilization of the intellectual resources of the people of the Virgin Islands and the development of a center of higher learning whereby and wherefrom the benefits of culture and education may be extended throughout the Virgin Islands.” The first campus opened on St. Thomas in July 1963, on 175 acres donated by the federal govern-ment. The first Board of Trustees took office in August 1963. In 1964, the college founded a campus on St. Croix, on 130 acres also donated by the fed-eral government. At a ceremony on March 24, 2011, the St. Croix campus was named in honor of the late Albert A. Sheen, Sr. Also in March of 2011, UVI opened the St. John Academic Center in Cruz Bay, with interactive classrooms and computer facilities. CVI began by offering only associate of arts degrees. It now offers numerous associate and bac-calaureate degrees, including an associate’s degree in process technology. UVI also offers six master’s degree programs, an education specialist’s degree program, and certificate workforce training courses through the UVI Community Engagement and Life-long Learning Center. In 1972, the College of the Virgin Islands was awarded land grant status by the U.S. Congress. This allowed for the establishment of an Agricultural Experiment Station and a Cooperative Extension Ser-vice. Since then, many other programs and services have been added. These include the Reichhold Center for the Arts, the Eastern Caribbean Center, the Wil-liam P. MacLean Marine Science Center and the UVI Sports & Fitness Center, among others. In 1986, the College of the Virgin Islands was renamed the University of the Virgin Islands to reflect the growth and diversification of its academic curri-cula, community and regional services, and research programs. That same year, the U.S. Congress named UVI one of America’s Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). It is the only HBCU outside the continental U.S., and the first to offer an undergradu-ate degree in marine biology. Dr. David Hall began his tenure as president of the University of the Virgin Islands on August 1, 2009. He succeeded Dr. LaVerne E. Ragster, who was named president in 2002. Dr. Orville Kean was named president in 1990, succeeding Dr. Arthur A. Richards, who became president in 1980. Lawrence C. Wanlass served as the first president of the Col-lege of the Virgin Islands from 1963 until 1980. Today, UVI enrolls approximately 2,700 full-
time and part-time students on its two campuses. It continues to offer a high-quality, affordable liberal arts education in a culturally diverse environment. The Uni-versity boasts more than 7,000 alumni who have gone on to excel as doctors, lawyers, judges, university and government administrators, teachers and other pro-fessionals. Among the many accomplished alumni are two Rhodes Scholars, the winner of a Pulitzer Prize for Journalism and the Premier of Nevis. UVI holds active membership in many higher education associations, including the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, and is accred-ited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association. The University is also an active member of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities, the American Associa-tion of University Women, the American Council on Education, the Association of Caribbean Information Systems and the Association of Caribbean Universi-ties and Research Institutes. Cooperative agreements between the Univer-sity of the Virgin Islands and many other leading universities allow UVI students to receive degrees not offered on the UVI campuses. The Boston University School of Medicine cooperative agreement allows qualified UVI students to be accepted provisionally into the medical school at the end of their sophomore year. These students spend two summers and their senior year at Boston University, graduate with a bachelor of science degree from the University of the Virgin Islands, and then proceed to complete medical school at Boston University. Students in St. Maarten and the British Virgin Islands earn bachelor’s degrees via cohort programs the University of the Virgin Islands has established with the University of St. Martin and H. Lavity Stoutt Community College in Tortola. Additionally, there are transfer programs in pre-engineering, pre-pharmacy and pre-medical technology for students who wish to begin their studies in these fields at the University of the Virgin Islands before transferring to a specialized institution to complete their degrees. The National Student Exchange (NSE) program operates on both the St. Thomas and St. Croix campuses. Each semester approximately 25 students from the U.S. mainland enroll through NSE. In addi-tion, UVI continues to admit students via memoranda of understanding with the State University of New York at New Paltz, the College of Charleston, Emory University, Savannah State University (social work completion), Columbia University and Washington University in St. Louis (engineering), UNINTER (Uni-versidad Internacional de Cuernavaca, Mexico) and the UNICA Caribbean Exchange Program. The University of the Virgin Islands is increas-ingly being recognized as a leading American institu-tion of higher learning in the Caribbean.
PROGRAM - St. Thomas CampusRicardo Caldwell, Assistant Professor of Accounting
COMMENCEMENT MARSHAL
*PROCESSIONAL...........................................................................................................“Pomp and Circumstance” (Elgar) University Jazz Ensemble Martin Lamkin, Director
*INVOCATION ................................................................................................................. Kadeem Benjamin, Class of 2011
*NATIONAL ANTHEM ........................................................................................................... “Star Spangled Banner” (Key) University Jazz Ensemble
*VIRGIN ISLANDS MARCH ...............................................................................................“Virgin Islands March” (Adams) University Jazz Ensemble
MUSICAL SELECTION ................................................................................................................... “The Preacher” (Silver) University Jazz Ensemble
WELCOME ............................................................................................................................. David Hall, S.J.D., President
KEYNOTE ADDRESS .................................................................................................................... Johnnetta B. Cole, Ph.D. Director, National Museum of African Art
AWARDING OF HONORARY DEGREE .......................................................................................................... President Hall MUSICAL SELECTION ...................................................................................................................... “We Are One” (Gilpin) University Concert Choir Lorna C. Young-Wright, D.M.A
ADDRESS.......................................................................................................................... Derron Ambrose, Class of 2011
REMARKS ..................................................................................................................................... Alexander A. Moorhead Chairman, UVI Board of Trustees
The Honorable Ronald E. Russell President of the 29th Legislature of the Virgin Islands
The Honorable Donna M. Christensen Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress
The Honorable John P. deJongh, Jr. Governor, United States Virgin Islands
MUSICAL SELECTION ....................................................................................................... “God Bless the Child” (Holiday) University Jazz Ensemble Featuring Kwesi Williams, Steel Pannist
PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES ............................................................................................ Karl Wright, Ph.D., Provost
CONFERRING OF DEGREESMaster of Arts in Education • Master of Business Administration • Master of Public Administration
Master of Science in Marine and Environmental ScienceBachelor of Arts • Bachelor of Science
Associate of Arts • Associate of Applied Science • Associate of Science
INDUCTION INTO ALUMNI ASSOCIATION ............................................................................................. Dionne V. Jackson Vice President for Institutional Advancement
*ALMA MATER .................................................................. “Alma Mater by the Sea” (LaMotta), University Jazz Ensemble
*BENEDICTION .................................................................................................................. Estelle Andrew, Class of 2011
*RECESSIONAL .........................................................................................“March in F/Blues March” (G. Holst/B. Golson) University Jazz Ensemble*Audience is requested to stand.
Every effort is made to ensure that this program is accurate; circumstances beyond our control may have resulted in unintentional errors.
***summa cum laude **magna cum laude *cum laude ^ Fall Semester 2010 Graduate
School of BuSineSS
Andrew Andy AbrahamCrystal L. Bryan
Terencia Erma CameronYasmaine M. Davis
Roxann K. Mc Mahon Dolena Maria Paul
Candidates for Master of Business Administration Degree
Carlen N. AdamsJolicia Alexander Chelcy Angol **Melissa Baron *** ^Benjamin BellKadeem I. BenjaminDelvian Fiona BennettCarlin E. Berridge *Laurel A. Brown BoulaiRenuka E. BrownHilary Sharifa Browne ***Vanessa BruneyPearl Marie Byran ^Kyza Asward Callwood ** ^Jana E. CammieShaneka L. CarterCherisa Janel ComissiongAlvona Addaria ConnorShenille Xenia Cromwell *Narissa J. Daniel ***Natasha J. Davis *Nesha Rochelle DavidTanya A. M. Davis
Claudette Alicia DeSuza *Racquel Davinia DolphinLario Dietrich DuzansonNisha E. Etienne-Turnbull *Aubryant ElienNyka Carina Etienne *Vanora E. FergusonDaniella Flax *Lindsey Vanessa Francis *Okeamo Olanzo FreemanHelen Iona FrettTammie Carolle Gage ^Taneshya Nadasta George ^Tamra Beverly Graham *Lyle Quentin Gumbs *Ericia H. C. Halliday *** ^Shakeema Harrigan-RosaDianne Lorna Hodge *St. Clair Sylvester Hodge ** ^Denice Norine Huggins *Randy Jean *** ^Nahshon A. M. JeffersRueben Jennings *
Sharin JenningsAshma JohnLeann Joy Joseph ^Nishant Ashok Khiani *Blair James Lampert ^Bernesha B. LiburdAnissa Jeanette LindquistFelicia G. Louis *Cheryl Maureen Martin-Liburd **Nelvin Lexon Maynard *Felix Miga ***Jacqueline Modeste-Blyden ^Faheemah Rasheedah MuhammadBenaiah S. NicholsonWarren Michael Pemberton *Jerrel A. PennDevonee Tenisha Pickering **Keroma Joya Pollock **Chari Radiance RichardsCarin A. Richardson ***Tasha Janelle Richardson *Josephine P. RiviereWaynika A. Romney **
Derisa Chevon Ruan **Kiese Nadirah SamAnya L. Santos **Eustus Lester Saunders **Oswin A. Sewer, Jr. ^Daria N. Scott *Taiesha Mareisa SkeltonJoneisa Makeeda SmithLynnai Orlanda SprauveDoris SumayahSergio Jelani Swan * ^Sherma Lauralee Tonge-RawlinsKima K. Tyson **Kimesha Michelle Wade ^Kyoni T. Walters **Wanda Walters ^Tamara Tiffany Ward *** ^George Lionel WattsTamisha WiggleyMery-Ann Crystal WilksMarolin Katiuska Williams *
Candidates for Bachelor of Arts Degree
Berenice Baptiste-Jonas ^Astrid Margarita Carmona ^Citrina T. GumbsLyle Q. Gumbs ^Jasmine Maria Haynes
Dianne Lorna Hodge ^Vernon R. Jones, Jr.Anissa J. LindquistShauna L. MatthewBelinda M. Phillips ^
Carina Arlene Richardson ^Waynika Amore Romney ^Derisa C. Ruan ^Sergio J. SwanPatricia N. Varlack
Burnet I. WilliamsElizabeth Williams ^
Candidates for Associate of Arts Degree
School of education
Janney Ferrol-Hawley Maura Jn Baptiste Anna-Lee E. Hosier ^Candidates for Master of Arts in Education Degree
Kendra F. BarzeyShereeka LouRae Edmeade
Bajahni Rasheema FrazerSara Husein
Valerie Loretta Price Jones ^Shermaine L. Smith ^
Marjorie Wheatley
Candidates for Bachelor of Arts Degree
Christina Nwasia Lee ^ Annette May Olsen Shani Afua Smith
Candidates for Associate of Arts Degree
ST. THOMAS CAMPUS
***summa cum laude **magna cum laude *cum laude ^ Fall Semester 2010 Graduate
ST. THOMAS CAMPUS
college of Science and MatheMaticS
Christina Marie CollettiSteven Shawn Hitt ^
Stephen Andrew McCauley Edward Parish ^ Gabrielle Faith Renchen
Candidates for Master of Science in Marine and Environmental Science Degree
Renee’ Aveonca Callwood Natalie Charlotte Opoku
Candidates for Bachelor of Arts Degree
Alban J. AbrahamKhamahl A. A. AnthonyKavita BalkaranIverrisa M. Armstrong ^Maria Cristina Arroyo ^Leonardo J. BardomeroEugene Brooks, Jr.Shellese A. Cannonier**Javan M. Cooper**
Adrianne Crooke*Kurtney Patrick DavisAlvaro Ronald de Lugo IVLyssa A. Dickson^Debra Rose GarveySara E. Gennusa * ^Raymond A. HunttMax Alonzo Laite ^Precious L. Laurent*
Delia Patrice Miller*Shirrell A. Monsanto ^LeSean Leroy MosesCari Tishon Nicholas***Ciaran Feliz Akil Phillip***Leann R. PickeringDennis Antonio Powell, II *Sanlin Sky Robinson**Agene’ A. Rogers
Johnasha Donna Stuart***Anne C. Tagini ^Jerry E. ThomasOonijah T. Thomas ^Randel Charles Thompson*Shani Carissa WaltersEzra Williams-Daniel**Tameca F. WhiteTroi Andre’ Williams
Candidates for Bachelor of Science Degree
Fitzgerald Blanchette Javan Marcellis Cooper ^
Sean Anthony Francis Ian Christopher Amor Richardson Odari Cayenne ThomasCandidates for Associate of Science
School of nurSing
Patria Alexander*Jael Beth ArtusyCamesha George-Caines
Shenelle Malene JoshuaJahmelia Juanita LewisNatasha Lee Lillo
J’vonne Melagros LorenzoScarlin E. Lozano*Jamila Rashida Maduro
Sylvia Nicole Connor NavarroShanetha Keelah StapletonNaisha Niki Williams**
Candidates for Bachelor of Science Degree
college of liBeral artS and Social ScienceS
Estelle Johnetta AndrewChastity Natasha Caines
Robyn G. Glasgow ^ David Reuben Payne, Jr. Latisha L. RamseyCandidates for Associate of Applied Science Degree
Joylette S.M. Hunte-GoreTamara K. Joseph
Diane Woneta Lake LeCheea D. Smith^ Petula Maria Stevens
Candidates for Master of Public Administration Degree
Joia Hannifah AdamsDerron Kerry George Ambrose***Estelle Johnetta AndrewKhadejah Nagla AnthonyNakisha Alyssa Boasman*K’Nesia T. Brathwaite ^Chastity Natasha CainesEryn Demar ChristianDiana Patricia Claxton
DeAnn Alyssa ConnorNesha Rochelle DavidSean Joseph DavidKate Cicely DavisApril Rose F. Fale*** ^Porchia Lenece FarringtonDavin Lynroy Francis**Patrice Loretta HenryAnnalisa B. Hippolyte**
Everlene Chaneel Huggins***Isheba Labara JamesAmber Phyllis KnightShade’ Marie LeonardAsheda Alicia Maccow*Charlotte Lynn Brown Ramos ^Latisha L. Ramsey*Alyssa Cherise RyanJacinta M. Sablon
Shaneze S. SamEdward Emil Thabo SelloNadja S. SkeeteDesmond D. Smith***Julisa Gyra ThomasKwesi Anthony Williams
Candidates for Bachelor of Arts Degree
Michael R. Campbell ^
Candidate for Associate of Arts Degree
PROGRAM - Albert A. Sheen Campus - St. CroixAletha Baumann, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Psychology
COMMENCEMENT MARSHAL
S. B. Jones-Hendrickson, Ph.D., Professor of Economics COMMENCEMENT CO-MARSHAL
*PROCESSIONAL............................................................................................................ “Pomp and Circumstance” (Elgar) St. Croix Educational Complex Concert Band
*INVOCATION ......................................................................................................................................... Kirsten A. Spencer Class of 2011
*NATIONAL ANTHEM ............................................................................................................ “Star Spangled Banner” (Key) St. Croix Educational Complex Concert Band
*VIRGIN ISLANDS MARCH ................................................................................................ “Virgin Islands March” (Adams) St. Croix Educational Complex Concert Band
WELCOME ............................................................................................................................... David Hall, S.J.D., President
KEYNOTE ADDRESS ...................................................................................................................... Johnnetta B. Cole, Ph.D. Director, National Museum of African Art
AWARDING OF HONORARY DEGREE ............................................................................................................ President Hall
ADDRESS............................................................................................................................................. Sana Waleed Hamed Class of 2011
REMARKS ...................................................................................................................................... Alexander A. Moorhead Chairman, UVI Board of Trustees
The Honorable Ronald Russell President of the 29th Legislature of the Virgin Islands
The Honorable Donna M. Christensen Virgin Islands Delegate to Congress
The Honorable John P. deJongh, Jr. Governor, United States Virgin Islands
MUSICAL SELECTION .......................................................................................................................................................... St. Croix Educational Complex Concert Band
PRESENTATION OF CANDIDATES ........................................................................................ Karl S. Wright., Ph.D., Provost
CONFERRING OF DEGREES
Master of Arts in Education • Master of Business Administration • Master of Public AdministrationBachelor of Arts • Bachelor of Science • Associate of Applied Science
• Associate of Arts • Associate of Science
INDUCTION INTO ALUMNI ASSOCIATION .............................................................................................. Dionne V. Jackson Vice President for Institutional Advancement
*ALMA MATER ............................................................................................................. “Alma Mater by the Sea” (LaMotta)
*BENEDICTION ............................................................................................................................................ Joel A. Dorsett Class of 2011
*RECESSIONAL ................................................................................................................ “Ceremonial Procession” (Elgar) St. Croix Educational Complex Concert Band
*Audience is requested to stand.
Every effort is made to ensure that this program is accurate; circumstances beyond our control may have resulted in unintentional errors.
***summa cum laude **magna cum laude *cum laude ^ Fall Semester 2010 Graduate
School of BuSineSS
Athlene B. Cuffy Atacha Patricia Laurencin
Candidates for Master of Business Administration Degree
Jenelle Crystal Alsuran*Marsha Kyra Bartlett**Christina Mellissa BrownNoel T. Burnett^Necola Alisha Charles^*Diane A. DaCostaLornette P. DanielJoel André DorsettMallar Douglas
Malika E. FelixNiambi Tiffany Francois**Sasha GreenJamilah A. HanleyAshli Nicole IlesViola Leoni JosephHilda R. McCurdy^*Stephania MoncheryTerry Marceline Phillip*
Shari Elizabeth SantosBernhardt Simmonds III*Jamal A. SoldiewKirsten Allyson Spencer*Cecilia St. BriceRainia A. Thomas^Mahalia C. TysonMarlene Tyson
Candidates for Bachelor of Arts Degree
Christina Mellissa Brown^Emeryl Augusta ChristopherTalisha E. E. Griffith^Sana Waleed Hamed
Donna Semone HarveyShirley Ann HenryAna Maria MontañezLeila Dennis Muller
Claudia Y. ParsonIndira Marie SantiagoJacinth Althea Stanley
Candidates for Associate of Arts Degree
School of education
Debbie Elaine Colbourne Ancelma Jan Elliott Peter J. Forrester Chantelle Dianna Greene
Rhalina E. LaPlace Jennifa Mohammed Merancienne Janice Marcellin Randolph Karen René-Bess
Vernice Modesta RogersDelores Stapleton-HarrisJaynae S. R. WilliamsEva A. Wilson
Candidates for Master of Arts in Education Degree
Kaisha A. Knight Chaselle Vianette McConnell***
Ericilda X. Ottley Cheryl E. Ryner
Savannah Leanne Saum**
Candidates for Bachelor of Arts Degree
Rayvenne Roberta BradshawDaniella D. Henry
Jeannette Madlyn Rivera-GeorgeVashti J. Thompson^
Leena Hamad Yusuf
Candidates for Associate of Arts Degree
ST. CROIX CAMPUS
***summa cum laude **magna cum laude *cum laude ^ Fall Semester 2010 Graduate
ST. CROIX CAMPUS
college of liBeral artS and Social ScienceS
Herman Joseph Bardouille, Jr.Kathymia D. Brookes
Jasmine Meri NievesChris St. Clair Richardson
Candidates for Associate of Applied Science Degree
Tamara Bermudez Evelyn L. Richards
Candidates for Master of Public Administration Degree
Jovetny Karen Marie BruceVincia Felicia Princessa DixonEna Paullet Edward-Descartes^*Sarah F. K. Greenaway*
Janelle Celine GumbsSana Waleed HamedNikki Rae LucasMalkia N. Morton
Nicole Chenelle OrrIndira Carlene Turney**Miguelina Valdes*
Candidates for Bachelor of Arts Degree
college of Science and MatheMaticS
Maria Cristina Arroyo^Shellese A. Cannonier**
Dexter Peter Hypolite*Mary Meena Mootoo^**
Eliza G. RampersadOonijah Thomas^
Candidates for Bachelor of Science Degree
Candidates for Associate of Applied Science DegreeNemecio Camacho IIIIan T. CuffyEmery Encarnacion
Dorian Michael EuzebeGerald T. FelixRonnie P. Garcia
William Darryl Gross^Akeem Timothy HarryAnita Seegolam
School of nurSing
Judy Anastasie BrooksAlicia V. Emmanuel
Alicia Mary ErystheeMaria N. Leon*
Candidates for Bachelor of Science Degree
Desaree Ann ArthurtonEmily Ann BeareMargaret A. BernhardtTerresha Natalia BrownMeaghan Elizabeth EngelSamantha Jean Fedewa
Monica Angela Francis-AdamsDelphine R. L. Frederick-BradyLindy Ann FreemanLaurel Gwin GaddAmy K. LeagueBabet Nefertiti McCurdy-Benjamin
Marsha SerieuxLori A. SternerShatel Mary St. AngeDrashti Rajendrabhai ThummerHolly Amber Young
Candidates for Associate of Science Degree
Dr. Karl S. WrightProvost
Vincent J. SamuelVice Presidentfor Administration and Finance
Dionne V. JacksonVice Presidentfor Institutional Advancement
Dr. Henry H. SmithVice Provost for Research and Public Service
Dr. Judith EdwinVice Provost for Access and Enrollment Services
D. Dianne Piper, Esq.St. Thomas Campus Executive Administrator
Claude C. SteeleSt. Croix Campus Executive Administrator
Tina M. KoopmansChief Information Officer
Dr. Noreen Michael Chief of Staff Office of the President
Dr. Haldane Davies Special Assistant to the President
Commencement Committee
President’s Cabinet President’s Message
St. Thomas Campus
Dr. LaVerne Brown – ChairDiana ClaxtonPeggy FahieMaria E. FlemingTheodore GlasfordPatrice K. JohnsonLiza MargolisCharles A. Martin, Sr.Dr. Noreen MichaelRoderick PullenHeather Hogarth SmithGail T. SteeleMervin TaylorPamela ToussaintBarbara Williams-BrownHilary S. Browne – Student
St. Croix Campus
S. B. Jones-Hendrickson – ChairClaude SteeleNereida WashingtonFrancisca BarrySheena PowellLinda I. SmithLaurel HeckerSana Hamed – StudentJoel Dorsett – StudentMarsha Bartlett – Student
As we gather this day to celebrate with the mem-bers of the Class of 2011 the culmination of years of hard work, sacrifice and commitment to the edu-cational goals that each member of the Class has achieved, it is with heartfelt joy and a great sense of pride that I congratulate the members of the Class. This is an awesome accomplishment and you should each be proud that you have arrived at this juncture in your journey through life. At this 47th annual com-mencement, we are surrounded by success stories that have a firm foundation in personal sacrifice, hard work, commitment to excellence, and dreams that have been nurtured and cultivated with the help and support of an extended network of family, friends, colleagues and faculty. Your achievement of this significant milestone in your educational journey is a resounding testimony that the University continues to fulfill its mission and that we have prepared a cadre of persons who are poised to contribute to the educational, social, and economic growth and development of the Virgin Islands and the world. I urge you to use the knowl-edge and insights that you have gained during your educational journey at UVI to transform the commu-nity you decide to make your home. Remember, you are and will always be ambassa-dors for the University of the Virgin Islands. On behalf of the UVI faculty and staff, I salute you on your ac-complishments and wish you Godspeed.
David Hall, S.J.D. President
Dr. David Hall - ex-officioBoard SecretaryPresident of the UniversitySt. Thomas, Virgin Islands
Dr. LaVerne Terry - ex-officioCommissioner Department of Education St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
Ms. Winona A. Hendricks - ex-officioChair - V.I. Board of EducationSt. Croix, Virgin Islands
Dr. Aletha Baumann Faculty Representative 2010-2011St. Croix, Virgin Islands
Mrs. Carol FulpBoston, Massachusetts
Mrs. Jennifer Nugent-HillSt. Croix, Virgin Islands
Hon. Patricia D. SteeleSt. Croix, Virgin Islands
Mrs. Luz Suarez de HighfieldSt. Croix, Virgin Islands
Mr. Marthious ClavierAlumni RepresentativeSt. Croix, Virgin Islands
Ms. Elizabeth PichardoStudent Representative 2010-2011St. Croix, Virgin Islands
Mr. S. Donald SussmanSt. John, Virgin Islands
Mr. Edward E. ThomasSt. Thomas, Virgin Islands
Dr. Yvonne E. L. ThraenSt. Thomas, Virgin Islands
Rev. Dr. Wesley S. Williams, Jr.St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
Mr. Sinclair L. WilkinsonSt. Thomas, Virgin Islands
University of the Virgin Islands Board of Trustees
The Honorable John P. deJongh, Jr.Honorary Chair
Governor of the Virgin Islands
Mr. Alexander A. MoorheadChair
St. Croix, Virgin Islands
Attorney Henry C. SmockVice Chair
St. Thomas, Virgin Islands
UVI Schools & Colleges School of Business – Dean Charles Williams, Ph.D.
School of Education – Dean P. Rudolph Mattai, Ph.D.
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences – Dean George Lord, Ph.D.
School of Nursing – Dean Cheryl P. Franklin, D.N.S.
College of Science and Mathematics – Dean Camille McKayle, Ph.D.
Alma Mater By the Sea Words and Music by Wilbur “Bill” LaMotta
Hail to thee, dear Alma MaterBeside the blue Caribbean calmHail to thee, dear Alma Mater‘neath sunny skies and whisp’ring palm
Proud we are to tread thy waysLoud and true we voice our praiseOpen door thy every portal‘mid sand and sea and golden days
Long the ties that will endureStrong in heart and memoryFaithfully we’ll always honorOur Alma Mater by the sea
Hail to thee, dear Alma MaterFor guiding stars so brightly shownHail to thee, dear Alma MaterHow wide the bound’ries we have flown
Sing we now of bright tomorrowsYesterday we never knewWalking down thy halls of wisdomThe towerin’ heights are all in view
Here to us on islands famedDear to us thy name will beUniversity of the Virgin IslandsOur Alma Mater by the sea.
The wearing of caps, gowns and hoods at graduation exercises is one of the oldest and most democratic of collegiate customs. It originated in the Middle Ages when the first universities were founded as clerical institu-tions. Besides distinguishing the wearers from laymen, the costume served a very practical purpose in the unheated churches and cloisters of the time. It often added grace to the individuals and impressiveness to the ceremonies in which they took part. Its chief virtue, however, was that it eliminated undemocratic differences in dress which might otherwise have marred an essentially democratic occasion.
Under the intercollegiate system adopted in 1893, the Oxford cap or “mortarboard” is worn for all degrees, but the doctor is entitled to a gold tassel and optional velvet cap. The sleeve of the master’s gown is distinguished from the bachelor’s by a half-moon cut at the end. The doctor’s gown has faced-down fronts, and round bell sleeves with bars of velvet. The master’s degree hood is longer than the bachelor’s and the doctor’s is longer
than the master’s. All hoods are lined with silk showing the official colors of the institution that conferred the degree.
The bachelor’s and master’s degree candidates at the University of the Virgin Islands wear hoods lined with Caribbean blue and white, the school colors. The bachelor’s degree hoods are trimmed with white velvet to signify liberal arts, and with golden yellow velvet to signify science. UVI master’s candidate hoods are also trimmed with velvet – light blue for education, drab to represent business, and peacock blue to indicate public administration.
According to the Academic Costume Code, at most U.S. institutions the color of velvet trim indicates the following academic disciplines: agriculture/maize; economics/copper; engineer-ing/orange; fine arts/brown; home economics/maroon; law/purple; library science/lemon; music/pink; nursing/apricot; philosophy/dark blue; physical education/sage green; public health/salmon pink; science/golden yellow; so-cial science/cream; social work/citron; speech/silver gray.
Academic Regalia